Adjustable sign frame and/or quick assembly barricade



F. M. MAURO Sept. 8, 1910 ADJUSTABLE SIGN FRAME AND/OR QUICK ASSEMBLYBARRICADE Filed Oct. 3, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 n mm INVENTOR FRANK M.MAURO ATTORNEY TQE Sept. 8, 1970 F. M. MAURO 3,527,434

ADJUSTABLE SIGN FRAME AND/OR QUICK ASSEMBLY BARRICADE Filed 00% 5, 19672 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,527,434 ADJUSTABLE SIGN FRAMEAND/0R QUICK ASSEMBLY BARRICADE Frank M. Mauro, North Flatbush, N.Y.(RED. 4, Box 190, Saugerties, N.Y. 12477) Filed Oct. 3, 1967, Ser. No.672,652 Int. Cl. F16m 11/00 U.S. Cl. 248-166 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE3 Claims FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to supportingdevices and more particularly to an adjustable frame assembly forsupporting signs or similar warning devices of varying dimension.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART As highway construction and maintenancecontinue to expand, a major and continuous problem relates to safety,both of the traveler and the crews engaged in highway construction orrepair. The conventional way of identifying highway construction ormaintenance is by warning signs indicating the location and type ofrepair being made. Conventional road signs come in a variety ofdimensions, each sign requiring a separate associated frame. Forexample, the Federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devicesidentifies 18,", 24" 30", 36", and 48" signs for use in highwaymaintenance and construction. Since both signs and frames are subject todamage and replacement, the variety of sizes poses a problem to provideand maintain a continuous balanced inventory at the various depots wherethe signs and frames are normally stored. Frequent errors resulting frommismatched frames and signs or out-of-stock frames create delays andimpede schedules for varying highway projects. In addition, conventionalsign frames are relatively unstable and readily overturned by airturbulence created by passing vehicles or wind velocity. The effects ofthe lack of warning resulting from overturn are readily apparent.Solutions to or placed upon the overturn problem include weights orfasteners which are generally attached to the lower part of the frame.Thus, sandbags, cinder blocks, sand filled tires, stones, ormiscellaneous sundry weights are employed to provide the necessarystability. The inconvenience of providing these weights or fasteners,particularly when the signs may be moved frequently during the day, isobvious. Finally, conventional sign frames are inherently difiicult tohandle and require considerable storage space.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a framemember which is adjustable to accommodate signs within a relatively widedimension range. The apparatus comprises two end supporting structuresinterconnected by an adjustable horizontal support comprisingtelescoping tubular members. The horizontal support ice member includesa plurality of ring hooks which are laterally movable to conform to theopenings in the sign, and rotate about the tubular member to allow thesign to swing within the frame, thereby lessening its resistance to windor air turbulence created by passing vehicles by absorbing some of theenergy. The rear legs of the end supporting structures are made longerthan the front while the bottom of the leg members is cut normal to itsaxial dimension. The use .of uneven legs in the end supporting memberscombined with the use of angle iron in the leg construction increasesthe stability of the device, enabling it to withstand horizontal loadsor stresses resulting from wind or passage of vehicles withoutadditional support. The device is collapsible to facilitate storage andhandling, and includes means for maintaining the device in the openposition to prevent accidental injury during handling. The device issimple in construction, rugged, serviceable, and designed to eliminatestorage and inventory problems by providing a single adjustable frame.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide anadjustable frame assembly adapted to accommodate a multiplicity of signsizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable andcollapsible frame to simplify inventory problems, such frame beingadjustable to conform to the size of the sign employed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a stablefree-standing sign frame adapted to withstand the horizontal stress fromwinds or passing vehicles without additional support.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable andcollapsible sign frame of simple and functional design adapted toaccommodate varied size signs.

The foregoing and other features, objects, and advantages of theinvention will be more apparent from the following more particulardescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the adjustable sign frame accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the present invention in a collapsedposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED- EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the subject invention isillustrated with legs extended in the open position. The deviceessentially comprises two modified A frames interconnected on top andbottom by telescoping sleeves. Each frame comprises a front leg 11 and arear leg 13, each leg being made of angle iron. The leg members of eachA frame are joined by a lock nut 15 which will be bolted on the innerside in their upper position. Each A frame has an identical structure sothat the legs pivot about their respective lock nuts 15. The A framesare connected by tubular cross members, the top cross member comprisingouter sleeve member 17 and inner sleeve member 19. Such tubular members,shown as round, could be of any cross-sectional configuration. Whenadjusted to the open position, the frame is maintained in position by alocking device on each end. The locking device 21 may comprise a ringslidable along its associated sleeve and having a pin adapted to fit inan associated hole in each leg of the A frame. The telescoping sleevesmay be maintained in position by any conventional means such as pinswhich abut against the inner sleeve or applied through threaded openingsor slots in the inner sleeve. Locking device 21 includes a horizontalpin 23 adapted to fit through opening 25 of leg 13 and a correspondingopening, not visible, in leg 11. The locking device functions as asafety feature to prevent closing or scissoring of the frame when it isbeing moved in the open position, as well as providing added stabilityagainst wind, buifeting, etc. While not considered an essential detailof the present invention, the two upper corners of the device would beprovided with conventional flag holders to accommodate standardfluorescent flags, thus adding to the target value of the sign. Theupper cross bar of the device includes sign hook ring assembliesincluding rings 27 and 29, each having an associated hook 31, 33respectively. The sign hook rings are designed to rotate about theirassociated sleeve of the upper cross member, permitting the sign toswing within normal constraints, thus dissipating some of the energyresulting from wind velocity or air turbulence. Since the openings inthe sign for the hooks vary in relation to the size of the sign, and infact vary from sign to sign of the same dimension, the hook ringassemblies are slidably adjustable along the sleeves of the upper rod.Also, because of the relatively large surface area of the sleeves 27,29, the wear caused by movement of the sign will be minimized.

The lower portions of each of the A frame members are likewiseinterconnected through telescoping sleeves. Thus front legs 11 and 35are interconnected by outer and inner sleeve 37 and 39 respectively ofthe lower front cross member, while legs 13 and 41 are connected byouter and inner sleeves 43 and 45 respectively of the lower rear crossmember. As shown in the front cross member, the outer sleeve 37 has apin 47 fitted therethrough, while the inner sleeve would have openingsspaced at uniform distances therethrough. To provide the strength andrigidity necessary to function in all elements of weather, the legs aremade of angle iron while the cross members would be made of steel, thejoints being welded to provide maximum strength and durability.

As previously described, one of the major problems if not the majorproblem of conventional sign assemblies is the inherent instability ofsigns, particularly when buffeted by wind or passing vehicles. Whenwarning signs are overturned, resulting trafiic accidents can causeinjury either to the traveler or the construction worker or both as wellas damage to the vehicle involved. Even if discovered before anaccident, resetting of signs can be a time consuming and costly process.This problem is substantially elimimnated and highway safety promoted bythe present invention in the following manner.

Referring to FIG. 2, the subject invention is illustrated in a collapsedform, the form normally employed for storage or in transit. As shown,the device is completely collapsible with the front legs fittingcompletely within the rear legs so that the thickness is approximatelythat of the angle iron employed. The feature which provides theadditional stability against blow-down is the use of longer rear legs.Since the leg bottoms or feet are cut perpendicular thereto, the signassembly when positioned will rest on the edge of each of the four legs.By increasing the length of the rear legs as shown, the moment requiredto overturn the sign (the product of the weight and the horizontaldistance) is increased, thereby adding to the stability againstoverturn. In addition, the horizontal force applied will be partiallydissipated by movement of the sign, as previously described, while theremainder will merely cause the edge of the rear legs to dig deeper intothe surface where the sign is resting. The remainder of the frame isidentical to that shown in FIG. 1, and identical parts are so indicatedby corresponding subscripts.

In a typical frame constructed in accordance with the present invention,the dimensions of the parts were as follows:

front legs50" rear legs-57 /2" distance sign hook to ground43" angleiron-1 /2" adjustable cross members: outer sleeve 34%" long, 1%" insidediameter, material 1 1 gage pipe; inner sleeve 29%" long, 1" outsidediameter, material 11 gage pipe.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the presentinvention, in addition to promoting highway safety by its inherentstability, eliminates the problems arising from inventory by itsadjustable feature permitting a single frame to be used for all signswithin a specified range. The collapsible feature permits storage in aminimum space and ease of handling, while safety features prevent injuryto the workmen during handling of the device. While the preferredembodiment has been constructed of cast iron and steel for maximumdurability during all weather conditions, other materials could besubstituted. Likewise, the apparatus may be readily employed without asign as an adjustable barricade assembly.

While the present invention has been described with reference to apreferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible sign frame assembly adapted to prevent displacement ofa sign mounted thereon by air turbulence resulting from wind or passingvehicles comprising in combination,

first and second end supporting structures, each of said end supportingstructures including a pair of up Wardly converging leg members having acommon intersection, the individual leg members of each of said pairsbeing of dissimilar length,

an upper support member connecting each of said supporting structuresnear the upper ends of one leg member of each of said pairs,

means connected to said upper support member for attaching a signthereto, said means comprising a plurality of hook-ring assemblies onsaid upper support means,

the individual rings of said hook-ring assemblies being laterallyadjustable along said upper support member to conform to openings insaid sign for attachment thereto,

the individual rings of said hook ring assemblies being adapted torotate about said upper support member thereby reducing wear to aminimum, said ring assemblies being adapted to absorb certain of saidair turbulence by permititng radial motion of said sign about said uppersupport member,

horizontal support members connecting corresponding leg members of eachof said end supporting structures near their lower extremities, each ofsaid individual leg members extending beneath said lower support meansto increase stability of said assembly by providing a plurality ofindividual support points irrespective of the condition of thesupporting surface on which said assembly is positioned,

the bottom surface of each of said leg members being normal to the axialdimension of said leg member but angularly positioned with respect tosaid supporting surface to facilitate gripping by said individual legmembers,

whereby the balance of said air turbulence not absorbed by rotation ofsaid sign is absorbed and distributed at said plurality of individuallocations corresponding to the positions of said individual leg memberson said supporting surface,

and means for maintaining said sign frame assembly in an open positionto permit handling thereof.

2. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said means formaintaining said frame in said open position comprises a plurality ofring assemblies slidably adjustable along said upper support member,said ring assemblies including a pin adapted to fit within correspondingopenings in said leg members.

3. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper and lowersupport members comprise a plurality of tubular sleeve members connectedin telescopic re lationsbip for providing an adjustable frame assemblyto accommodate a range of sign sizes to be mounted on said assembly.

References Cited 5/1901 Anthony 248-172 x 1 6 2,836 ,385 5/1958 Knapp eta1. 248--166 2,984,444 5/1961 Lewis 248-166 3,015,804 1/1962 Nunn40--125 X FOREIGN PATENTS 749,087 7/ 1933 France.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner J. F. FOSS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl.X.R.

